Ball Python handling and Ball Python fangs.

How do I handle my Ball Python?

There's nothing complicated about this, just be sure your hands do not smell like it's prey, so wash your hands first before picking your ball python up. After washing, make sure your ball python hasn't recently just eaten, or is in shed. I recommend leaving your Ball python alone to digest for 1-2 days, then start handling again. If it's all clear, you just go ahead and pick him up. If this is your first ball python and you have never picked him up, don't think about it and just do it. The longer you delay, the more you'll get scared (if you are scared), and you'll probably back out.

The only time you will get bit is if your ball python is really stressed out, or afraid. Most bites happen while picking them up, once you get them on your hands, the chance that your ball python will bite is greatly lessened. If you really are afraid, you could buy a snake hook, or use gloves.

Here's a video on how to handle your ball python



First of all, ignore what this "expert" said about Ball pythons and fangs. It's not true. Take a look at this Ball Python picture and tell me if you see any fangs. Doesn't take an expert to see that there are none...

But the "expert" was right about one thing, Ball Pythons are constrictors, good job expert! Too bad our expert doesn't know that constrictors, our ball pythons, don't have fangs, just regular teeth, which are small and needle like to help slide in dead prey into their mouth after constricting.

"Snakes like to be held" Ball pythons, and other snakes, dont really enjoy being handled, they just tolerate it. And the thing she said about holding them on a frequent basis to keep them tame will vary depending on your Ball Python's personality. I've had a male ball python I hold only once a month, still docile, never struck at me, or bit me.

Remember not to handle your ball pythons TOO much, especially if he or she is a new snake, start out with 10-15 minute handling session, then work your way up so your snake won't get stressed.

Popular Ball Python Morphs

Here's a video with all of the popular ball python morhps.

Prices range from hundreds of dollars to thousands, so for those of you who plan on breeding ball pythons, it's good to start reading up on what type produces what.

My personal favorite ball python morph is the black eyed leucistic.




Popular Ball Python Morphs
Black eyed leucistic
FireBall
Pinstripe
Lemon Pastel
Piebald
Spider
Mojave
Genetic Striped
Jungle Pastel
Ghost
Caramel albino
Lesser Platinum
Cinnamon Pastel
Ivory
Yellowbelly
Albino
Clown
Butter

Ball Python feeders, how to breed?

If you're thinking about breeding your own feeders for your Ball Python, you should go with rats, not mice. Because mice stink AND bite. Rats are smart, friendly and don't stink as much. And a full grown adult will need more than one mouse, it will be better to feed your Ball Python rats at a young age so he doesn't imprint on mice.

If you own one or two ball pythons, breeding your own feeders for your ball pythons will not be worth the effort. And rats know how to breed. Once you get to breed once, there's no stopping them (unless you separate them of course). You'll have an excess of rat pups if you only have two ball pythons to feed. Of course you could also sell them to your local pet shop / snake keepers for some extra. I usually freeze some rat pups that can be fed to baby ball pythons.

You'll need a 40 gallon tank or tub, any size will do, it depends on how many you breed, for a 40 gallon I use 3 females and a male. I don't really separate any of them, just leave them all there and separate the male once the babies are born and I don't need any more. I also separate the babies once they can eat on their own, I either feed or freeze them and sell it to other snake keepers. Make sure when you start breeding feeders, the aquarium you use will be ESCAPE PROOF. Rats can jump real high, so better have a screen top that locks on, or a rubbermaid tub.

I feed my feeders rat pellets, and some fresh fruit. Put a water dish that you refill everyday, a hide to make them feel secure and you're all done. If you only have one or two ball pythons, you really should not breed rats, it will be cheaper to just buy from a pet store. If you aren't worried about the price, then breeding is great because you can give your ball python quality feeder rats.

Here's a video on How your rat setup should look like

Removing Ball python / snake eye caps video

As I said before, if your Ball Python still has his eye caps on after his shed, you can just leave your Ball Python alone. They don't rely on their eye sight as much as they do with their sense of smell.

If you really want to remove your ball python's eye caps, have someone experienced do it for you.

Let me repeat, nothing will go wrong if your ball python has retained his eye caps after a bad shed. The best thing you could do is make sure his temps and humidity levels are all perfect. See our Ball Python Care guide for info on what the Ball python's cage should be.

Here is a video, if you ever have to remove your ball python or any snake's eye cap, demonstrating a good way on how to remove the eye caps. Never use tape, never use tweezers, never use any pressure or anything that could harm your ball python's eyes.





This man is experienced, if you aren't or you have shaky hands, just leave your Ball Python alone rather than risk him getting hurt or stressed. Again, nothing will go wrong if your ball python has retained his eye caps, so think about that before you decide to remove it yourself.

Ball Python Bite. How do I get bitten?

How do I get a Ball Python bite?

Follow these simple rules, and you will get a Ball Python bite in no time lol (Obviously, if you want to avoid getting a Ball Python bite, just do the opposite)

Some tips to on How to get yourself a Ball Python Bite:

Tip 1 Don't wear gloves while feeding your Ball Python.

Tip 2 HAND FEED your Ball Python. Dangle a rat infront of him and expect your ball python not to bite you.

Tip 3 Handle a rat before you handle your Ball Python, that'll surely confuse your Ball python and you'll surely get a snake bite eventually.

Tip 4 Harass your Ball Python. Flashy lights, ball pythons hate those, or at least one of mine does. He hates the camera flash and strikes at it. Poking your Ball Python with a stick also helps.

Tip 5 Let a kid throw your Ball Python around and treat it like a toy.


Here's how to AVOID a Ball Python bite:

Tip 1 Wear gloves or just drop the mouse or rat in the Ball Python's Habitat and let it hunt. There really is no need to hand feed a living mouse or rat to your Ball Python. No benefit whatsoever. If you're worried they'll get bit by the prey, always have a chopstick, spoon anything you can lodge between the prey's mouth while it is being constricted(usually less than a minute and they are dead).

Tip 2 If you have to dangle a mouse or rat infront of your Ball Python, tongs. ALWAYS use tongs when dangling prey! They sense heat, and you are hotter than the prey, so obviously it'll strike at you. They only strike when they smell their prey, so if you just want to handle your Ball Python, you shouldn't be afraid to get bitten, unless you smell like a mouse/rat/gerbil etc. If it's a live mouse or rat, just let your Ball Python hunt it, no need to dangle it infront of him.

Tip 3 Wash your hands before and after handling your Ball Python pet to remove any scent of prey, to avoid him confusing you for a prey item.

Tip 4 Learn to read your Ball Python's body language, know when he's stressed and about to strike.When you see the "S" form, it means stay the hell away from me. One of my Ball Pythons hate flashy lights, and he gets ready to strike whenever a camera goes off, he's in permanent S form after two or three flashes, it's kinda funny. Avoid excessive handling, Ball Pythons don't enjoy handling, they just tolerate it. By excessive I mean an hour plus, once your Ball Python is already used to daily handling.

Tip 5 Don't leave your Ball Python, or any kind of snake, with kids if they are unsupervised. You never know with snakes. Ball Pythons are wild, although they tolerate us, Ball Pythons can still strike at you anytime, so best not leave your Ball Python alone with someone who can't defend themselves, or panic and kill your Ball Python because it gave out a warning strike.


Some Ball Python bite videos (that you should not follow, unless you want to get a ball python to bite you)





This girl obviously followed tips 1 and 2 on how to get your Ball Python bite. And FYI, poisonous is the wrong term for snakes, they should be called venomous.





Here's an example of tip 3 on how to get your Ball Python to bite. Although this is not a Ball Python, it still works for all snakes. Rat scented warm hand + Ball Python = bite.




Here's a 2-2.5 foot MAX Ball Python biting and constricting a girl. Watch her over react and call the police. "Big Snake Bites and Wraps around Woman" right. It's a TWO FOOT BALL PYTHON! Jesus..



So what should I do then if my Ball Python bites me? If your Ball Python bites you and coils around you, you should wait a few minutes for him to unwrap himself, or if your Ball Python doesn't, calmly unwrap your Ball Python by holding on to it's tail and unwrapping from there. Here's how you should handle a Ball Python bite. (Not a ball python, but still applies)




Now THAT is how to react to a Ball Python bite, not like that woman from the other video. This is even longer than that 2 foot Ball Python in the previous video. Go Steve Irwin!

Ball Python Feeding Video 1

Ball Python feeding video.

Warning : If you don't like feeding your Ball Python with live mice or rats, do not watch this Ball Python feeding video.

Are Ball Pythons safe for kids?

Ball python attacks kid! (not really)



This is how laid back Ball Pythons are. Cute little kid with his Ball Python.


Little girl bringing her Ball Python to show and tell. "he waps awaound the victim" lol




Don't let ignorant people tell you that snakes are slimy and evil. They are great pets, read more on How to take care of your Ball Python pet here.

If you are still thinking of buying a Ball Python, click here to find out why the Ball Python is the best beginner snake.

Ball Python Bite videos

Some Ball Python Videos of people getting bit.







Here's a guy who got bit on the finger by a little Ball Python named Marvin. It doesn't hurt that much looking at his Ball Python's size, maybe he's just sensitive, but what he said about "try not to move away quickly, you could damage their fangs" is correct. Ball Python's teeth curve inward, to help pull prey in, so if you pull against that, it will cause you to bleed more, and you might pull out your Ball Python's teeth. Just let your Ball Python let go on it's own.





This has go to be the funniest video I have ever seen. Baby Ball Python swallowing finger of boy. He must have handled a rat before the handling the Ball Python, since it confused his finger for a mouse.


The same kid getting his finger eaten by his Ball Python. lol


If you enjoyed these Ball Python videos, take some time to read the Ball Python FAQ or Ball Python Pet Care guide.